Exeter School Speech Day 2014

Guest of Honour, the Mistress of Girton College Cambridge, Professor Susan J Smith, delighted pupils, parents, teachers and governors with a fascinating and eye opening speech at Exeter School's annual Speech Day on the evening of 18 September.

Professor Smith is a leading academic and highly respected Cambridge Head of College with an accomplished academic record in the field of Geography. The Royal Geographical Society recently awarded her the 2014 Victoria Medal for conspicuous merit in human geography and her work in social geography.

A busy writer and speaker, she recently lectured at the Melbourne State Library on the absurdity of owner occupation and has written a Guardian blog on "How to reduce the risks of home ownership". Her work is generally concerned with the challenge of inequality, addressing themes as diverse as residential segregation, housing for health and fear of crime.

Headmaster Bob Griffin gave a summary of the year's achievements, praising senior pupils and their teachers upon the excellent public examination outcomes of Summer 2014.

Exeter School demonstrated a high level of consistency at A Level, with almost one in four grades at A*, and a record 89% of grades at A*, A or B.

The Upper Fifth distinguished themselves at GCSE: a new record of 51% of all grades were A* grades, and the A*/A percentage of 82.5 also represented a new high.

Bob Griffin ended his speech by thanking all the staff and saying: "The school is very much in the debt of all these altruistic, dedicated and skilful teachers. To honour and continue their work, we will keep trying to do everything well, with a smile on our faces."

Headmistress of the Junior School Alison Turner spoke of the value of time and how we use it concluding with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "The past is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift."

The Head Boy Marcus Hoddinott and Head Girl Rosie Vercoe closed proceedings with a vote of thanks to the Guest Speaker.